Calling All Students Ages 13-18 Years Old to Participate in Global Science and Math Video Contest

Breakthrough Prize "Junior Challenge" Opens Call for Original Science Video Submissions through October 10, 2016

$400,000 in educational prizes to be awarded for an original student video bringing scientific and mathematical ideas to life

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Breakthrough Prize Foundation announced today the launch of its second annual Breakthrough Junior Challenge, a global student science and mathematics competition designed to inspire creative thinking about fundamental concepts in the life sciences, physics or mathematics.

"The Breakthrough Junior Challenge encourages the next generation of scientists and leaders to help us all see scientific principles in new, fresh ways," said Breakthrough Prize co-founder Dr. Priscilla Chan. "We hope students from around the world will take part in the Breakthrough Junior Challenge, and I'm looking forward to seeing their incredible work. As we learned last year, these students' unique perspectives and innovative thinking can teach us all about the importance of complex scientific principles in our daily lives."

A video of Dr. Chan launching the Breakthrough Junior Challenge can be viewed here: Breakthrough Junior Challenge Launch Video.

Students ages 13-to-18 from countries across the globe are invited to create original videos (up to five minutes in length) that illustrate a concept or theory in the life sciences, physics or mathematics. The submissions will be judged on the students' ability to communicate complex scientific ideas in the most engaging, illuminating, and imaginative ways. The deadline for submissions is October 10, 2016. Students must register to participate at www.breakthroughjuniorchallenge.org.

One winner will be recognized and awarded a $250,000 scholarship. The science teacher who inspired the winning student will win $50,000. The winner's school will also receive a state-of-the art science lab valued at $100,000.

New this year, the Breakthrough Junior Challenge will incorporate a "Popular Vote" contest. All semifinalist videos will be posted for public viewing on the official Breakthrough Prize Facebook page, and the video that receives the most "likes" will be declared the "Popular Vote" top scorer. The "Popular Vote" top scorer will receive automatic placement into the finalist round, and will be in the running for overall challenge winner.